A fully funded scholarship can turn a UK or Australian master's degree that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars into a fully covered opportunity — and Sri Lanka, as a Commonwealth nation, is eligible for some of the world's most prestigious funded programmes, including Chevening, the Commonwealth Scholarship, and Australia Awards. This guide covers the major scholarships open to Sri Lankan students, what they cover, and their core eligibility requirements.
Overview of Major Scholarships
| Scholarship | Destination | Level | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Master's | Full tuition + living stipend + airfare |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | UK | Master's / PhD | Full tuition + stipend + airfare |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Master's / PhD | Full tuition + living allowance + airfare |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's | EU (multiple countries) | Master's | Full tuition + travel + monthly stipend |
| University-specific scholarships | UK, USA, Canada, Australia | Undergrad / Master's / PhD | Partial to full tuition waivers |
Chevening Scholarship (UK)
Chevening is the UK government's flagship global scholarship programme and one of the most prestigious awards a Sri Lankan student can receive. Sri Lanka is an eligible Chevening country.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | One-year master's degree only (any subject, any UK university) |
| Covers | Full tuition, monthly living stipend, return airfare, arrival/departure allowances |
| Eligibility | Sri Lankan citizen, at least 2 years of work experience (roughly 2,800 hours), agreement to return to Sri Lanka for 2 years after the award |
| English requirement | IELTS (Academic or UKVI) 6.5 overall, no band below 5.5, or an equivalent approved test |
| Application requirement | You must independently apply to and receive an offer from at least one of three UK master's courses you list on your Chevening application |
| Application opens | Typically August |
| Deadline | Typically early November |
Chevening does not itself require a standardised test at the application stage, but the UK universities you apply to almost always do — securing your IELTS score early strengthens your university applications while your Chevening application is under review.
Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)
Funded by the UK government for citizens of Commonwealth countries, and Sri Lanka is a long-standing participant. Nominations are typically coordinated through the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Master's and PhD |
| Covers | Full tuition, monthly stipend, return airfare, thesis grant (PhD) |
| Eligibility | Sri Lankan citizen; a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard (or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification) |
| English requirement | IELTS Academic, typically 6.5 overall (varies by course) |
| Application route | Through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) online portal, following nomination via Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education |
| Number of awards | A small, fixed number of nominations are allocated to Sri Lanka each intake — competition is intense |
| Deadline | Applications typically open in September and close in October, ahead of the following year's intake |
Because the number of Sri Lankan nominations is limited each year, start preparing your academic references and personal statement well before the application window opens.
Australia Awards (Sri Lanka)
Australia Awards Scholarships are funded by the Australian government for students from selected countries, including Sri Lanka, to study at Australian universities, with a dedicated Australia Awards Sri Lanka programme office.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Master's, and in some categories PhD |
| Covers | Full tuition, living allowance, return airfare, establishment allowance, health cover |
| Eligibility | Sri Lankan citizen; typically requires a minimum of 3 years of post-qualification professional experience and a study plan connected to Sri Lanka's development priorities |
| English requirement | Generally IELTS 6.5 overall (or equivalent TOEFL/PTE); a lower threshold of IELTS 6.0 overall, no band below 5.0, applies to applicants from designated priority districts or with a disability |
| Application route | Through the Australia Awards Sri Lanka office / online portal |
| Post-award condition | Scholars must leave Australia for a minimum of 2 years after completing the scholarship, in line with Australia Awards' development mandate |
Applications are especially encouraged from women, applicants with a disability, and those working in designated priority districts in Sri Lanka. Always check the current Australia Awards Sri Lanka website for the exact intake dates and English test thresholds, since these are reviewed periodically.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees (EU)
Erasmus Mundus funds joint master's programmes taught across two or more European universities, with generous full scholarships open to Sri Lankan applicants.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Master's (joint degree across 2–4 EU countries) |
| Covers | Full tuition, monthly living stipend, travel and installation allowance |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; competitive selection, no work experience requirement in most categories |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.0–7.0 depending on the consortium and programme |
| Application route | Directly through the individual Erasmus Mundus programme's website (each joint master's has its own portal) |
| Deadline | Typically November–January for the following autumn intake |
University-Specific Scholarships
Many universities in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia offer partial or full tuition-fee scholarships specifically for international or South Asian students, separate from government-funded awards.
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Merit-based tuition discounts | Awarded automatically or via separate application based on academic record |
| Country/region-specific bursaries | Some UK and Australian universities run dedicated South Asia scholarships |
| Faculty-specific awards | Engineering, business, and STEM faculties often have dedicated funding pools |
| Need-based bursaries | Assessed against demonstrated financial need, common at UK universities |
Always check the "Scholarships" or "Fees and Funding" page of each university you shortlist — many awards are automatically considered when you submit your application, with no separate form required.
Other Scholarships Worth Exploring
| Scholarship | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | USA | Highly competitive; funds master's and PhD study; Sri Lankan applicants apply through the US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission |
| New Colombo Plan / Australian university-specific awards | Australia | Various need- and merit-based awards run alongside Australia Awards; check each university directly |
| DAAD Scholarships | Germany | Full or partial funding; many public German universities charge little to no tuition even without a scholarship |
| Japan (MEXT) Scholarships | Japan | Fully funded, offered through the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka for undergraduate, master's, and research students |
| Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) | South Korea | Full tuition, stipend, and Korean language training; open to Sri Lankan applicants |
Common Scholarship Application Documents
Most major scholarships on this list require a broadly similar document set, so preparing these early saves significant time when multiple deadlines overlap.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Academic transcripts and certificates | Proof of prior qualifications, often required with certified translations if issued in Sinhala or Tamil |
| Statement of purpose / personal statement | Explains your motivation, career goals, and connection to Sri Lanka's development |
| Reference letters (2–3) | Academic or professional referees who can speak to your ability and character |
| CV/resume | Summarising education, work experience, and extracurricular involvement |
| English test score (IELTS/TOEFL) | Required at application or shortly after conditional selection for almost every scholarship listed here |
| Passport copy | Standard identity verification document |
| Research proposal (PhD applications) | Outlining your intended research area and methodology |
Scholarship Application Timeline (Typical Year)
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6–12 months before intake | Research scholarships, shortlist universities, request references |
| 9–10 months before intake | Sit IELTS/TOEFL if not already completed |
| 8–9 months before intake | Chevening and Commonwealth applications typically open |
| 6–8 months before intake | Submit university applications alongside scholarship applications |
| 3–5 months before intake | Interviews (where applicable) for shortlisted candidates |
| 1–3 months before intake | Award decisions communicated; visa process begins |
Because timelines for Chevening, Commonwealth, Australia Awards, and Erasmus Mundus do not perfectly align, keeping a personal calendar of every deadline is essential — missing a single scholarship's window by even a day usually means waiting a full year for the next cycle.
General Tips for Sri Lankan Scholarship Applicants
- Start early: Most major scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth, Australia Awards) open applications 9–12 months before the intake
- Secure your English test score first: A valid IELTS or TOEFL score is required at application or shortly after for almost every scholarship on this list
- Tailor your personal statement: Reviewers for Chevening, Commonwealth, and Australia Awards specifically look for a clear connection between your study plan and Sri Lanka's development needs
- Apply to multiple scholarships: There is no penalty for applying to Chevening, Commonwealth, and a university-specific scholarship simultaneously
- Keep references ready: Most scholarships require 2–3 academic or professional references — request these early, as referees in Sri Lanka may need several weeks' notice
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — a strong IELTS score is a prerequisite for nearly every major scholarship in this guide. Gabble's AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice helps Sri Lankan students reach the 6.5+ band scores that Chevening, Commonwealth, and Australia Awards typically require.